Question

Humans do not make decisions only rationally or consciously; instead, many decisions are influenced by emotions and ______.

A) Biases
B) Cognitive reasoning
C) Data analysis
D) Logic

Answer 1

Decisions made by humans are often influenced by emotions and B) cognitive biases, which can override logic and rational thinking.

Step-by-step explanation:

Humans do not make decisions only rationally or consciously; instead, many decisions are influenced by emotions and biases. Emotions can inform and influence rational thinking, as noted by neuroscientist Antonio Damasio. It is a common misunderstanding that the goal of rational thinking is to eliminate emotional influence.

Cognitive biases, such as the bandwagon fallacy and tribal thinking, often lead to decisions that are not entirely based on logic or cognitive reasoning. These biases are similar to perceptual illusions, resulting from the brain's natural tendency to use heuristics or rules of thumb. These biases and fallacies are examples of errors in reasoning, which can misguide our decision-making processes.